Cultural identity and the challenges posed by the state education system: insights from the experiences of the Lua (H’tin) ethnic group in Thailand

Past research often argues that the growing influence of external society within ethnic communities is challenging ethnic groups’ identities. However, this article argues that external influence represents only one part of the broader challenges that ethnic groups face. This study presents lessons from the cultural context of a Lua ethnic community in Northern Thailand that is undergoing change shaped by external factors, internal cultural dynamics, and the increasing role of the education system in constructing local culture as ‘other.’ This argument challenges the conventional assumption that the education system necessarily serves as an important mechanism for preserving ethnic groups’ cultural identity. Instead, our findings show that when education is used without sufficient caution and cultural sensitivity, it can produce negative consequences for ethnic cultural identity.